Tar Heel Players Preview Duke Game

CHAPEL HILL–On Tuesday afternoon in the Smith Center, Tar Hel starters Joel Berry II, Kenny Williams, Cameron Johnson, Theo Pinson and Luke Maye met with reporters to preview Thursday's game against Duke.

Joel Berry II, Senior Guard
On end of game fatigue with tough upcoming rivalry schedule
"I've been here four years and I've been part of stretches where we've had to go back and forth like that. The biggest thing is just making sure that we're preparing our bodies and making sure that we're getting rest in and hydrating well and making sure we're eating right just to lead up to this game because not only is it just this stretch but this is getting towards the end of the season and this is the time that we need to just rack up some wins and start getting into the groove of things. Just overall, we're just got to prepare our bodies and make sure we're doing everything we can to recover."

On last time playing Duke in Dean Smith Center
"That's the biggest thing for me. Just coming down to the end of the season, I'm starting to realize how time is just moving fast and how things are moving really quickly. I have three home games left and like I said, being a part of this rivalry has meant a lot to me even though I think the fans make it more of a rivalry than we do, but it's great being a part of it and it's just so great to see how people just get amped up for this game. No matter what we do for the rest of the season and no matter what we do before, everybody just wants us to beat Duke and that's what's just so fun about it."

On freshman appreciating Duke rivalry
"I think you have to experience a couple of years to see how much of a rivalry it really is. I mean, you go over there one time and then you come over here one time. You don't really get a chance to see it that much, but for me, being in it three years and now going on four, I've experienced how people just – like I said – get amped up for this game. No matter how the season goes, they always just want this game to be ours. You really don't get a chance to experience that much when you're a one-and-done, so I'm glad I've gotten a chance to be able to experience it."

On Luke Maye's consistent numbers
"[Luke Maye] comes in the gym. He works hard. He makes sure he's doing whatever he has to do each and every day in practice and on and off the court. When you do that, you're built to do what Luke is doing and he puts in the work. Like I've said, it's not a surprise to me because I've seen it over the summer and I've seen it happening. When he first got here as a freshman, he wasn't getting much playing time and you could just tell he wanted to be a part of everything. I think that's what motivated him to be able to work on his game and put in a lot of time. I didn't think it would be what it is now, but like I said, it's nothing that surprises me because he puts in the time and the work."

On help from experience with rivalry
"Honestly, I treat it like another game. That's how everybody else should treat it, but from our experience we know the crowd is going to be loud each and every possession. We know everyone is going to come out and be ready to play with a lot of energy, but you just got to pace yourself and make sure you're not exerting too much energy because sometimes just this rivalry can get you that way to where you end up being tired before the game. Just knowing you have to keep calm, see it as another game is something that we understand."

On one-and-dones changing dynamic of rivalry/friendships
"I've had a friend over there now – Grayson [Allen] – and we've hung out before. We've hung out with some of their players. So that's why I said it's more of a rivalry between the fans more than it is the players because we all know each other from AAU and playing ball together and we've been at the camps and everything together. That's why I said I just see it as another game, but just for myself, it's always good to beat them because not only do we get a chance to experience it and have a lot of fun with it, but the fans are excited and that's what it's about… It's just great to always be able to win for ourselves and for our fans."

On game's potential to be a pivot point for either team
"It can be something good for us. They're not an experienced team, but they're a good team and they have a lot of talent. For us to be able to win this game Thursday will be something good for us. Just through this whole stretch, fi we can just get some games because we haven't been panicking, but you can see that there are a lot of teams that are in the same boat as us. A lot of teams are losing that are expected to win, but this is not a time to panic. I think going into Thursday, this would be a great game for us to be able to get and if we can get the next three games that would also be great as well."

On approach to Thursday's game with Duke's size
"It doesn't necessarily change it. I mean, we've been up against teams that have had more size than them. Like last year, Florida State was a team that had a lot of size and we attacked it the same way. So it's not necessarily their size or anything. I just think if we can do what we're supposed to do and what we're coached to do, I think we'll be fine. I think they're size can be something that's a disadvantage because we have speed and we can get the ball out fast and get the ball down the court. So while they do have size, I don't think that necessarily plays a role."

Kenny Williams, Junior Guard
On the upcoming game against Duke
"Everybody knows how big this game is not just for us but for college basketball. It's kind of impossible to look past it especially with all the hype they put around it and everything leading up to it. It's really the only thing you could focus on."

On being able to build on the Pitt Game
"I think so. You see a couple go in and it just helps you out, especially as a shooter. With so many shots that I shoot not going in, to see a couple go in gives you a little boost going into the next game. Hopefully, I am going to build on that."

On the capacity of shots needed to break a slump
"We always think we are giving as much as we can, but there is always a little more that we can give. That's in everything. Coming back late at night, not just shooting during practice but coming down early, [and] coming back late is what you have to do just to get yourself some extra reps outside of practice."

On moment when he started to come back from slump
"I realized that I needed to make some shots and they weren't going in during the game. I had to get those extra reps. Everyone knows if your shot is off one game, you have to get in and get those extra shots up before the next game."

On the significance of playing in the rivalry
"We know, this whole week, the spotlight is going to be on North Carolina and Duke. The guys that have been here know what it is like. You walk into the arena and there is a different buzz. You have people wanting to get to their seats earlier. We come off of the last warm up, the arena is jumping and everyone is ready to cheer us on. This is a special rivalry and I think there is a shared respect between the two schools. It's a battle every time we step on the court against each other."

On the difficulty to get excited for three games in five days
"To ramp up for the games, no. I don't think it is hard for anybody to get excited about a game. The games take a toll on your body. After the game we may feel like we don't want to do anything, but that is where the preparation comes in – getting the treatments before and between games and doing everything we have to get through those games and be at our best for all three."

Theo Pinson, Senior Guard
On key to playing three games in five days
"Mentally preparing for each game because it's going to be tough. The first two games are rivalry games so it's going to be fun."

On Duke's freshmen being able to appreciate the rivalry like a seasoned player
"I'm sure they watched throughout their whole lives just like I did. They are going to understand the intensity, not even when the ball goes up but when they get in here. It's going to be electric and it's going to be a fun day."

On his role over the next couple of games
"Just going in there and being Theo, bottom line. Do whatever I need to do to put us in position to win the game. If that is me playing mostly the four, I'll do that and any other position I am needed at."

On his passing ability
"I have been trying to get my teammates involved throughout my whole career. Even when I was little I didn't always want to be the guy scoring the ball, I wanted other people to score too. I think it just has gotten better over time. When I play my game and let the game come to me, that is when I am at my best."

On Duke's non-traditional style of play
"This is a totally different team since I have been here. They try to throw it inside and get it to their bigs so it is going to be a different challenge for us but at the same time it is… We basically swapped sides a little bit. We are going to do everything to slow them down."

On the atmosphere of the Carolina-Duke game
"I tried to come to every Carolina-Duke game I could before I even got here so I knew what type of atmosphere it is. It is definitely different when you are playing. Usually our fans take a while to get here but when it is Carolina-Duke they get here pretty early and it is a packed house. As soon as the ball goes up, it is going to be fun."

On this being his last Carolina-Duke game at home
"Being in the moment. Taking over the opportunity to play Duke again on our home court. This is my last chance to play them here and I want to take full advantage of it and go out there and play my heart out."

Luke Maye, Junior Forward
On having first career start at Duke last season
"I don't think it adds anything. I mean we lost my first my first start and it wasn't really the best way to start my first game, but I feel like coming into this game we just got to go out there and play our game. We are playing at home, which is a lot different than starting at Duke and really just have an opportunity to play another game with our crowd against a great opponent. It is going to be a lot fun."

On Duke's size
"I don't think it affects us too much. We are going to play our game. I mean we are obviously going to have to defend them inside a little bit better and box them out a little bit harder, but besides that I think we are going to play our game and the way we like to play, stretch the floor."

On strategy to keep Duke big guys out
"I think just continue to play to our strengths. I think on offense we really space the floor really well and we shoot the ball well as a group. Just being able to stretch them out a little bit and also, we got to keep them balance and get our points in the paint. I think every team we play against we got to have the same mentality that we are going to come out and give all we have and do what the coaches ask us to do."

On Theo Pinson on point
"I love him at the point. He is a great playmaker. Does a lot of things for our team and I mean to have a guy, 6'6, to rebound like he does and still bring the ball up the floor is pretty special."

On Theo's passing
"I think he is one of the best passers that I have definitely played with. He is a special player and we are lucky that he is back and healthy. I am really looking forward to him playing the way he does the rest of the season."

On meaning of the game
"It's huge. I mean, growing up in the state of North Carolina you are either a North Carolina fan or a Duke fan. I think growing up in the family that I did, obviously, North Carolina was a school that I rooted for while growing up. To be able to play in this environment and to be able to play in the Smith Center against a team of their caliber I think is going to be a special time."

On this rivalry versus others
"I think the history. Both coaches are Hall of Fame coaches and with both teams being really highly talented, I think it really separates themselves and really creates so much history and so many memories that really bring the best in this rivalry."

Cam Johnson, Graduate Guard
On keeping them from rebounding
"I think just effort, boxing out. Sending all four or five to the defensive glass and doing our best effort to keep them off the offensive glass and using that to our advantage in transition."

On first Carolina versus Duke game
"I watch it. Over the past 20 years, I watched it whenever I had the chance, but I am really excited. I am honored to be a part of something so special and I know my teammates are too. From everybody that I've talked to that has played in it, it is pretty special game, pretty special environment, so I am really looking forward to it."

On preparing for Duke
"We have a little bit smaller of a lineup so I think covering them, stopping them and doing whatever we have to do will be pretty important."

On history of rivalry
"It means a lot. I am excited to be here at North Carolina. I have really enjoyed this opportunity to play for such a special program. To be a part of this game is a big part of that and I am really looking forward to Thursday."

Players Mentioned

Joel Berry II

Cameron Johnson

Luke Maye

Theo Pinson

Kenny Williams

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